Egelmann, Charles Frederick, engraver.
Broadside Taufschein, begins: "Staat [blank] Nordamerica. Gehet hin in alle welt lehret alle volker und taufet sieim namen des vaters des sohnes und des heiligren geistes." With manuscript completed by an anonymous scrivener. [Reading, PA: C. F. Egelmann Folio (34.8 x 25.7 cm; 13.75" x 10"). [1] p.. 1814 and later] The engraver Egelmann (1782–1860) is credited by Stopp with producing => the first engraved Taufschein (birth/baptismal certificate), an example of which is offered here. The certificate is for Louisa Buehler, daughter of L. Buehler and Salomea Wagner, born 25 January 1849 in Tamaqua, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The cataloguer at the Penn State University library describes its uncolored example: "The form is generally dated ca. 1830, but could have been in use as early as 1814. The lower design depicts Jesus with the disciples, while the upper scene shows Jesus' baptism. The form stretches between two pillars, flanked by columns of smoke, all within line border. Distinctive mix of [stipple] engraving and etching, probably on copper plate, by Egelmann." => The present copy is handsomely hand-colored with the entirety of the baptismal certificate written out, not "filled in," in red ink in a clear hand. That is, the "form" part of the engraving has been neatly, precisely excised and replaced with fresh paper to record Louisa's baptism. Gently age-toned, small amount of spotting to lower right corner, a bit of waterstaining to upper right corner. Excellent repair to a few tears around the margins, plate expertly altered/repurposed within the manuscript portion as described above.
[Bookseller: Philadelphia Rare Books & Manuscripts Co]